What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Support Specialist position at Dominican University?
Position Title: Student Support Specialist
Department: Stars Connect, Student Enrollment Services
Reports To: Executive Director of Financial Aid & Enrollment Services
Location: On Campus (River Forest, IL)
Position Summary:
This position will provide direct student support. The focus will be on helping enrolled students and their families, particularly first-generation and low-income students, navigate institutional structures and systems to address their financial aid, student account, registration, and record needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve students, particularly first-generation, low-income, and post-traditional age, with the necessary support to understand their bill and financial aid, register for classes, and complete the required steps to ensure they can remain enrolled
- Assist with administrative tasks such as outreach to students with incomplete aid files, those who have not made necessary payment arrangements or have requested assistance with adjusting their course schedule
- Collaborate with counterparts in Student Success and Engagement and other campus partners on retention tactics
- Conduct individual appointments with all incoming freshman and transfer students and parents after registration to assist in reviewing their bills, helping them sign up for the payment plan, and explaining how to complete their loan paperwork before the start of the term
- Conduct semester meetings/outreach with theDream.US students to address questions and ensure they have completed all necessary financial aid requirements
- Manage live chat function to answer inquiries about student accounts, financial aid, and registration and records
- Process transcripts, information requests, and registration and withdrawal functions
- Provide service to Spanish-speaking students and families by utilizing translation resources, including, but not limited to, the ability to speak in Spanish, translation applications, support from other colleagues or students, etc.
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least one year of higher education experience.
- Proficient in a variety of technologies, including the Microsoft suite of tools.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to work independently and within a team.
- Ability to build relationships internally and externally.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience working with Jenzabar or PowerFAIDS.
- Experience working and communicating with underrepresented groups.
- Experience communicating in different languages.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
Salary and FLSA Status
- Salary: $20 - $22 hourly
- FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-time, 37.5 hours
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition remission for employees and their dependents
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Generous paid time off (PTO)
Employment at Dominican University is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation.
About Dominican University
Dominican University is a Catholic, comprehensive teaching university located in River Forest, a suburb of Chicago, with an additional campus in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Dominican University offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is highly regarded for its academic rigor, thoughtful accompaniment of students, intentional affordability, and values-based, relationship-centered learning environment.
Dominican currently enrolls over 3,800 students, including 2,690 undergraduates and 1,114 graduate students. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of undergraduate students identify as Latinx, 5% as Black or African American, and 3% as Asian. Under-represented minority students comprise 77% of the undergraduate enrollment and 38% of the graduate enrollment. Over 90 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. Nearly half of all undergraduates are first-generation college students; over half are federal Pell Grant recipients, illustrating their families’ level of income; and 58% are eligible for low-income MAP grants from the State of Illinois.
Recognized since 2011 as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education, Dominican is committed to expanding and enhancing educational opportunities for Latinx students and all students from historically underrepresented groups. For more information, visit www.dom.edu.
Expectations for all Dominican Employees
To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a supportive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.
Institutional Statement
Dominican University is committed to fostering a supportive academic community that provides access and opportunity for all our students.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal and state employment regulations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need accommodations due to a disability, you may contact us at opc@dom.edu for assistance.
Salary : $20 - $22
